The first thing that must be said about the elemental monkeys is that they are not all related by evolution. However, they are closely similar with regard to both anatomy and DNA (and most likely share a common ancestor), and so they are listed collectively for simplicity’s sake. The Pokémon that are related by evolution are; Pansage and Simisage, Pansear and Simisear, and Panpour and Simipour.

The first evolutions of all three lines are very similar in appearance. All three resemble small monkeys, with short fur. All three are .6 meters tall, and weigh 11 kilograms. Their torso, arms, and lower face are a light tan, while the rest of their body (upper head, ears, legs, and a long, thin tail) is a variable color (green for Pansage, red for Pansear, and blue for Panpour). Oddly, Panpour’s body is colored differently, with a blue neck, upper face, and tail-tip only. They have large, round ears, with different colors on the inside (light green for Pansage, orange for Pansear, and cyan for Panpour). Their eyes resemble those of humans, but are larger (Panpour’s are almost perpetually closed, Pansear’s are usually half-open, while Pansage’s are generally fully open). Each species has a differently shaped tuft on their head (Pansage’s resembles a small piece of broccoli with three yellow spots and is actually a small plant, Pansear’s resembles a small flame and contains a small pyro-sac, and Panpour’s resembles a geyser and doubles as water storage), and a different tail-tip (Pansear’s tail ends in a spade-shaped tip, Panpour’s in a club-shaped tip, and Pansage’s in two leaves). All three elemental monkeys’ hands resemble mittens, with only two fingers, one much larger than the other (Both fingers are equipped with short, sharp claws). Their feet are paw-like, with three tightly packed toes. All three have different types (Pansage is [[GreenThumb Grass,]] Pansear is [[PlayingWithFire Fire,]] and Panpour is [[MakingASplash Water]]).

Simisage evolves from Pansage upon exposure to chemicals found in certain plants (In captivity, this effect can be duplicated by an item called a Leaf Stone). It is 1.1 meters tall, and weighs 30.5 kilograms. The green sections of fur have lengthened and become spikier, giving Simisage the appearance of wearing overlarge green pants and sleeves. The plant on its head has grown since evolution, and is now a tall bush. Simisear’s ears have lengthened and narrowed. It has grown spiky white tufts of fur over its eyes (which have become proportionally much smaller) and shoulders. Its hands have become prehensile and five-fingered, like a human’s, and its claws are sharper. For some strange reason, Simisage prefer to give a "thumb's up" with their right hands. The spaces between its toes have widened slightly. Finally, its tail-tip has become a small mass of thorns, giving it an unofficial name of [[FanNickname “The Thorn Monkey Pokémon.”]]

Simisear evolves from Pansear upon exposure to intense heat, usually from a fire (In captivity, this effect can be duplicated by an item called a Fire Stone). It is one meter tall, and weighs 28 kilograms. The red sections of fur have, unlike Simisage’s fur, remained short and flat. The tuft on its head has become larger and more elaborate, now resembling a fire instead of a single flame. It is significantly wider than Pansear, with a round, egg-shaped belly. Like Simisage, it has developed additional white fur tufts, but they are puffy, and only on its shoulders. Its hands have become prehensile, and its toes have spaced out. Its tail has become fluffy and curly, and looks like a fire.

Simipour evolves from Panpour upon exposure to chemicals found in certain bodies of water (In captivity, this effect can be duplicated by an item called a Water Stone). It is one meter tall, and weighs 29 kilograms, although much of this weight is due to water retention in the head tuft. The blue sections of fur have changed completely. First, its tail is entirely blue. The tuft on its head has become six long, braid-like tendrils that droop around its head. Simipour’s neck is surrounded by a small white tuft, which continues down its torso as a blue “dress.” Its ears have shrunken. Its hands have become prehensile, and its toes have spaced out. Its tail is longer, and the tuft at the end now resembles a Panpour’s head tuft.

Like all Pokémon, the elemental monkeys have a potential mutation that alters their color. The “Shiny” versions of the three pre-evolutions are a lighter shade than their regular counterparts (except Pansear, who turns orange). The “Shiny,” evolutions, however, are a darker shade than their counterparts. These mutations are highly prized by collectors for their rarity.

!! Notable Biology

The tuft on the head of Pansage and Simisage is actually a plant. This plant is attached to Pansage from birth, and its removal is usually fatal. This plant shares a symbiotic relationship with Pansage. In exchange for protection, the plant grants Pansage and Simisage access to its abilities, which include rapid dispensing of seeds (That can also be used to grow plants to attack the foe, as the seeds produced by Pansage and Simisage’s plant grow and die extremely quickly), and its leaves, which can heal many ailments (But are incredibly bitter). Pansage and Simisage are very generous with their leaves, offering them to almost any Pokémon they deem in need of one. Unfortunately, the plant has set up several structures inside Pan/Simisage, and one of these constricts several of its vocal cords. As a consequence, Pan/Simisage usually do not speak in anything higher than a mumbly whisper.

Pansear and Simisear both possess two internal pyro-sacs. One is in their head-tuft, and only produces heat (it can be heated up at will and used to keep Pansear warm in cold climates), and one is located near their stomach (it is far more developed in Simisear, and is the reason for Simisear’s large belly). This second pyro-sac produces a combustive liquid that can be released at will, allowing Pansear and Simisear to spray jets of flame from their mouth. In addition, Simisear has a third pyro-sac, stored in its tail. This allows Simisear to launch flames in all directions by waving its tail, which has several pores to let the flames out. This has earned it the nickname, “The Ember Pokémon.” Pan/Simisear's ears are also, despite their size, extremely weak, and Pan/Simisear does not hear well. However, it compensates by having an acute sense of both sight and smell.

Panpour and Simipour’s head tufts double as water bladders. The bladders will gather water from the air, and both Panpour and Simipour will often stick the bladders into bodies of water to fill them up faster. Each water bladder (one is stored in every puff on Panpour’s geyser-tuft, and every one of Simipour’s braids) is connected to the tail by a long tube. A small opening at the tip of the tail, hidden by the tuft, allows Panpour and Simipour to fire off high-pressure jets of water when necessary. This has earned them the moniker, “The Geyser Pokémon.” In addition, the water bladders also store various nutrients, and plants that were watered with the water from a Panpour or Simipour tend to grow well. Pan/Simipour's eyesight is not very good, so it keeps its eyes closed most of the time. It compensates for this with incredible hearing and smell.

Evolution has a significant effect on the personalities and behavior of the elemental monkeys, usually exaggerating their personality greatly. Pansage is generally a fairly excitable Pokémon. Upon evolution, however, Simisage’s plant begins stimulating the production of sugars in its host. Consequently, Simisage is generally incredibly active. Pansear is usually a somewhat bored Pokémon. Simisear, however, is almost completely apathetic. Panpour is a rather lax Pokémon, not often doing much until needed. Simipour, however, is almost completely inactive until either told to do something or threatened.

Interestingly, the elemental monkeys are 87% male, with a very small percentage of females. (See Social Structure and Courtship and Childrearing)

!! Habitat

The elemental monkeys are rarely found in tall grass, leading Trainers to make the false assumption that they are rare in the wild. This is because the elemental monkeys spend most of their lives in the trees of Pinwheel Forest and Lostlorn Forest. If you find one on the ground, it is almost always one of the pre-evolutions, which has either fallen out of the tree or been sent out on food collection. They are generally easy to find, as they will rustle around in the grass, attempting to find a way back up the tree (The pre-evolutions are poor climbers, as they lack fingers) or attempting to find food. It is advised that you not attempt to catch any monkey that is near a tree, as their parents will [[PapaWolf most likely]] [[MamaBear attack you]] for harming their child, or their troop will attack you for [[TrueCompanions harming their troopmate.]] Should you wish to own an elemental monkey, it is advised that you either purchase one from a Pokémon store, or capture one that has been banished from its colony (See Social Structure).

!! Diet

The elemental monkeys are primarily herbivorous, feeding off the berries, leaves, and nuts in their trees. However, when food is scarce, they have been known to hunt other Pokémon and eat them. A pre-evolution can eat several ounces of food a day, but the final evolutions (which are fortunately rare) [[BigEater can eat up to a pound of fruit and nuts in a single sitting.]] All the elemental monkeys are fiercely protective of their food, and will even attack other monkeys to keep a meal.

Interestingly, the elemental monkeys have discovered cooked food. During mealtimes, Pansear and Simisear will cook some of the berries (and some of the meat, if there is any) with its head-tuft to add some additional variety to the menu.

The pre-evolutions are often given berries to carry around. This is done in case they become hungry outside of mealtimes while not near an adult.

[[Trainer’s Note: If you give an elemental monkey a berry to hold, it is likely to eat it at the first opportunity.]]

!! Hazards

The pre-evolutions are not very dangerous, although their claws and teeth are surprisingly sharp (never attempt to pet a wild elemental monkey, as it will probably see you as a threat and claw you). In addition, they may have minor elemental attacks, which can be unpleasant to experience (Pansear will rarely use elemental attacks in the wild, as fire in a forest is a ''bad'' idea), but Pansage often know Vine Whip (which they execute by hitting you with their tail, which is stretchy and flexible), and Panpour usually know Water Gun. As such, if you want to capture an elemental monkey, be prepared for a fight, and bring a strong Pokémon.

The evolutions are faster and stronger than their pre-evolutions, and their elemental attacks are far stronger. Simisage can fire seeds containing a chemical that causes them to explode, which has been dubbed, “Seed Bomb,” for obvious reasons. The chemical produced by Simisear’s pyro-sacs is far more potent, and it can launch much larger and hotter blasts of fire; these fire blasts can even inflict minor SplashDamage on anything near their target. Simipour’s water bladders have expanded, allowing it access to almost two gallons of water at a time; strangely enough, its water blasts are frequently superheated, and can cause nasty burns.

If you are [[TooDumbToLive unwise enough]] to bother a monkey colony (See Social Structure), be prepared for an incredibly tough battle. Every single monkey in the colony (excluding babies) will immediately attack you from above, with claws, teeth, and elemental attacks, until you either leave or die.

[[Trainer’s Note: If you own a Panpour or Simipour, it is advised that you not bring it with you to dry climates, as it does not survive well in them.]]

!! Social Structure

The elemental monkeys are incredibly social Pokémon, forming colonies in the trees that are dozens strong. Each colony is led by a single evolved female, usually a Simisage (At any time, a different evolved female can challenge the current leader for leadership. These conflicts are settled by displays of intimidation until one of the two competitors backs down. Only rarely do they escalate into actual battle), for obvious reasons. The members of the colony are divided into specific groups, each doing a different job. For example, there are usually several Pansear and Simisear assigned to cook food, and Panpour and Simipour are often assigned to either put out any fires in the forest, or to water the colony’s home tree and any nearby food-bearing plants. Other, non-species-specific jobs include food-finding and nursing of children. Colonies are very organized, and monkeys who do not perform their duties are banished (Banished monkeys are usually found on the forest floor, and far from the trees, as they are not welcome there. If you wish to catch one, go ahead). As more monkeys enter a colony, it will expand into additional trees.

When two colonies collide during the course of expansion, they will engage in a large-scale intimidation display and battle. The losing colony will be forced to flee, and the winning colony will take over the loser’s trees.

!! Courtship and Childrearing

Pansear, Pansage, and Panpour do not breed in the wild, although they can in captivity.Once per year, the evolved colony members will enter heat. At this point, the males of the colony will engage in displays and occasionally even fights. Eventually, the colony leader will select a male and mate with them. Additional males will mate with lesser females in the colony. The eggs will gestate for several months, and the baby monkeys will spend another several months being trained in a nursery (not by their parents), being taught to climb and fight.

Once the babies reach maturity, they will be assigned to a job depending on their skills. For example, a Panpour with a good nose would be assigned to food-finding, while a Pansear with no particular skills would just be assigned to cooking food.

!! In Human Society

The pre-evolved elemental monkeys are loved by children, for their cuteness and playfulness. The evolutions, however, are not as popular, due to their larger size and tendency to inadvertently injure children in play. As such, most non-Trainers who own elemental monkeys do not evolve them.

The leaves of a Pansage or Simisage’s plants have been used in many medicines. They are usually mixed with honey or vanilla to make them drinkable, as they taste absolutely disgusting.

Pansear are often used in professional kitchens, to heat food quickly. Some stores sell Pansear specifically for this purpose.

The elemental monkeys do not play a large part in popular culture, although they are occasionally portrayed as tricksters or mentors. [[MonkeyMoralityPose However, there is a famous painting of a Pansage, a Pansear, and a Panpour. The Pansage has its hands over its mouth, the Pansear has its hands over its ears, and the Panpour has its hands over its eyes. This painting is stated to represent the maxim, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”]]

[[Trainer’s Note: To own an elemental monkey, you must be prepared for a commitment. They have a tendency for mischief, and you will have to take this in hand, unless you enjoy being regularly set on fire, drenched, or wrapped up in vines.]]